Swaythorpe Medieval Settlement

The earthworks at Swaythorpe reveal what's left of a village that was probably abandoned around the 14th century. What you're actually looking at are low ridges and bumps in the field - the kind of thing most people would walk straight past without realising they're standing on six centuries of history. It takes a bit of imagination to see the house platforms and strip fields, but that's rather the appeal if you're the sort who finds archaeology compelling.

Walkers and history enthusiasts will get far more from this than families with small children. There's no interpretation on site, no cafe, nothing really except the landscape itself. You'll need to know what you're looking for or do your research beforehand - bring an archaeological survey if you can find one. Allow 45 minutes to an hour depending on how thoroughly you want to explore the site. It's free to visit and accessible most times, though you'll want to check conditions after heavy rain.

It works well as a stop-off during a broader walking holiday in the Yorkshire Wolds. Scarborough's only a few miles away, and the nearby camping spots - Thorpe Hall Cottages (4.2 miles) and Humble Bee Farm (5.6 miles) - make decent bases for exploring this quieter side of East Yorkshire. Pair it with walks across the Wolds themselves for a proper sense of how medieval communities sat within the landscape. Not Instagram-friendly, but genuinely interesting if you're into settlement archaeology and village history.